Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Intoxicating El Jadida

Yesterday, the magic carpet, I mean bus, brought us south to El Jadida. We walked the beach front after dark along with a multitude of locals, all parading along the floodlit walkway. Snails seem high on the food front. Stalls selling these boiled delicacies are every 50 meters or so with locals queuing up for a bowlful. We must try some one day!
Today has been warm and sunny, shorts and no shirt for most of the day. Washing the van, reading, sunbathing! whoa its tough but we've needed a lazy day. We only slept for 11 hours last night! I think its called chilling out, it has been a long journey so we won't feel too bad about it! In fact it feels great.
At 5pm, we walked the mile or so into town and joined the bustle that we find. It's heaving with locals, hardly a tourist in sight. Lovely, in fact totally intoxicating. We shop for dates, figs, oranges, bananas, strawberries and veg. Everyone is friendly. All are willing to humour our lousy Arabic, one tries to short change us, which is not unusual in crowded markets. ' just trying it on mate, see if you're awake' with a smile! Or, ' you haven't asked the right question, like how much?' But as long as you are alert, its all a game and no one means any harm. Safi!

So many faces, different dress. Full on Burka's to snazzy teens.

Beggars in doorways, kids playing pool. Flash Harry's with sports cars.

A heady brew.



This is our third visit to Morocco in as many years, it still feels like the first time! we are so out of place and yet treated as guests. A friendly face is always there if you need one. Which dates should I try? These, a smiling chap suggests, I'm buying them, so should you! How much should I pay? well the same as me, of course. The shop keeper just looks on and waits for the order. 1 kilo please at the right price ( 30 dirhams for good Moroccan dates and figs )

So we walk the mile along the beach front, passing couples lit up by the spotlights as the full moon tries to compete in the background for attention! A hot cooked chicken in our bag for supper and sense of delight tingling our tingle spots, back to the van we go. What a lovely day!


                                                           sleep well , wherever you are
                                                                            love
                                                                     Ted and Krysia

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